Typewriter stop mechanism



J. F. KocA I TYPEWRITER STOP MECHANISM Sept. 19, 1944.

Filed July 13, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 1 17206722; (hf/265M763 E llllllllllifl Sept. 19, 1944. J. F KocA TYPEQWRIIER STOP MECHANISM Filed July 13, 19.40 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 19,1944. .LFJ ko'A 1*-- 5 1 TYPEfiRITER STOP uEcmmsm Filed JulylS, 1940 :s Sheets-Sheet s Patented Sept. 19, 1944 UNITED STATES rAT NT;

- TyPEwm'rEn s'ror MECHANISM James F. Koca, Woodstock, Ill., assignor to Wood- 'stock Typewriter Company, Woodstock, 111.,

corporation oflllinois Application July 13, 1940, Serial No. 345,266

14 Claims. (Cl. 197176) tabulator' key will permit movement of the carriage up to a set stop.

The present invention is an improvement of the mechanism disclosed andclaimedin applicants PatentNo. 2,153,630, granted April 11, 1939, I

for Stop mechanism for typewriters.

- An object of the invention is the provision of new and improved mechanism operated by a tabulator set key to set stops in pre-selected positions to stop the movement of the typewriter ,carriage at a precise position when the tabulator key is operated.

Another objectof the invention is the provision of new and novel meanscontrolled bythedepression of a stop set key to shift a stop from a normal inoperative. position to an Operative position so as to engagea stop member, the positioning of which is controlled by mechanism operatively associated with tabulator key lever means and ,brought into operation by the depression'of a tabulator key.

, A further object of the inventionresides in the provision of improved stop set mechanism .and

.tabulator mechanism correlated and cooperating to efiectaccurate positioning of the stops and the bringing'into position of a stop member whereby margins or columns-may be selected in advance by themere manipulation of a stop key andthe carriage caused to assume the proper stopping position by a stop when a tabulator key is depressed.

' A still furtherobject of theinvention is the provision of elements constructed and arranged -to impart the greatest efficiency with the greatest ease and the utilization of few and" simple parts, the-parts. and assembly thereof being characterized in that the. necessary elements of the stop set mechanism, the tabulator mechanism .andthe escapement mechanism are brought into play at precisely the proper time to effect proper andaccurate positioning of the carriage.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specification;

The accompanying drawings illustrate a selected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Fig.1 is a detail rear elevational view ofatypewriter and embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail elevationaliviewg partly in sec; tion, of the left hands'ide of the typewriter;

Fig. 3 is a detail perspectiveview of certain mechanism controlled? by the tabulatorimchamsm; g Fig. 4 is a detail view similar .to Fig. 3 'but'in; eluding some of the stop setting mechanism; Fig. 5' is a detail elevational view' partly in sec; tion of the right hand side of the typewriter; and Figs. 6 and 7 are detail sectional ivrews on'the lines 6-6 and 'l---'! of Fig. 11., f

r The mechanism herein shownto illustrate the present invention is shown applied'tofthe popular well-known Woodstock typewriter, although the invention is susceptible of use on other m'akespf machines. The typewriter frame ;I, Figs. 2 and 5, has the usual platen 2 mounted on the carri ge frame 3, which is slidably arranged between opposed ways 4. An es'capementbar '5, 'Fig.' 1-, is

'pivotally supported in any known manner one.

part of the carriage ,frame' 3 'andfha's' normal meshing engagement with a pinion 5 which is controlled'by an escapement or ratchet wheel '1. The escapement'or ratchet wheel 1, and its manner of operation; are disclosed in pending applimatured as Patent' No. 2,286,403, June ill-6; 1942, and Serial No. 332,789, filedMay" 1, 19 40} which matured a'sPatent No. 2 g286xl0fl, June 16, I942. The construction and operation of'theescapement bar, the ratchet wheelf and c oope rating' mechanism form no partiof thepresent 'invention except insofaras the' same'may be necessarily incorporated inconnection with'other operablemechanism. The'es'c'apement bar 5, pinion 6 and escapement or ratchet wheel "1 are for the usual purpose of holdingthe carriage in'a rdeslotted bar 8.is adapted to receive in: theslots 9 thereof the stopslllwhich are'pivotally mouln ed on a circular bar ll arranged ward of the slottedjbar 8., .Afseco'nd I2 is arranged immediately "abovethe bar II and hasslots I3.pr0vided;therein. opposite to and in alinementnwith.the'slots "9 in the bar a. .The .slottedlbais-B 'iaridilfzf'ai adapted to guide and rece iyelth e, stops l I0 11 the a an s pp inaeei mrau z l'r may be of the kind disclosed in applicants afore-,

said Patent No. 2,153,630. Also, as disclosed in said patent, the pivoted slotted bar 8 may be provided with a finger piece [4, to oscillate the bar 1 8 to clear all stops which are in a down position, moving them to their upper normal inoperative non-stop position. The oscillatory movement of the bar 8 is limited by suitable stops, there being a spring provided to hold normally the slotted stop bar 8 in its normal suspended position as shown in the drawings.

ing at Fig. 1). The release of the escapement mechanism is accomplished by the depression of a tabulator key 38, Fig. 5, which is mounted on the tabulator key lever 39. The key lever 39 is guided at the front of the machine by a comb (not shown) and is pivoted at 48a to a part 40 on the frame. The other typewriter keys also are mounted on said part. A spring 4| may be provided beneath the key lever 39, Fig. 5, to hold the key lever 39 in its normal upward position and to returnthe key to its up position after having been depressed. A link 42 has one of its ends pivotally connected at 43 to the tabulator key lever 39' and its other end pivotally connected typewriter frame, Fig. 1.

The stops ID are for the purpose of stoppingaccurately the carriage at any desiredposition, making it convenient for the typist to position properly lines, margins or columns. are positioned in the slots 9 byjstop depressing mechanism controlled by the depression of a separate stop set key IS. The stops l hold the carriagein position and prevent the carriage from being moved to the left by the resilient means R until the carriage is released by operation of the escapement mechanism.

The stop depressing mechanism comprises the stop set key |5 onthe key lever 6 which is preferably positioned at the left hand side of the key board near the upper part thereof. The key lever l6, Fig. 2, is pivotally mounted at I! on a part of the typewriter frame and includes an' upwardly extending integral portion I8 provided with an enlargement l9. The enlargement l9 has a slot 26, through which slot a pin 2| on the frame extends to guide the movement of the key lever l6 as well as to limit :its movement. A

:link 22, adjustable at 23, Fig, 2, has one end pivoted at 24 to the upper end of the part l8 of key lever I6 and its other endpivoted at 25 to an aimfzs rigid with a shaft or rod 21. The

shaft or. rod 21 extends between the arms 28 of a bracket 29 rigidly secured to a part of the typewriter frame. The shaft or rod 21 is revolubly mounte d in the arms 28 and is held against axial movement by the rigid connection of the arm 26 on one end and by a crank arm 39 rigidly connected to the other end, Fig. 4.

A link 3| is pivotally connected at 32 to the crank-arm and extends upwardly and vertically from the crank arm, passing through a slot 33, Fig. 2, formed in the frame. The link 3| has a slot 34 formed therein through which a set screw 35 passes to slidingly mount the link 3| on a rigid upstanding support 316 formed onfthe frame. The link 3| includes a finger 31 made inte'gral therewith and turned inwardl 'as shown in several figures so as to be inposition to co- .operate with the several stops H]. The depression of the key l5 will move the finger 31 downwardly .to depress or move a selected stop downwardly for cooperation with the escapement mechanism to stop the carriage atthe position in which a stop ID has been set by pro-selection. A spring is fastened to the arm 30,'Fig. 4,and to a'fixed fmember to hold the finger 31 in its normal raised position.

The stop setting mechanism cooperates with the escapement mechanism in that the escapement mechanism releases the carriage from a pre-se- The stops at 44 to one endof a rocker bar 45 which is pivoted intermediate its ends at 46 to a part of the rangements and connections are such that the depression of the tabulator key 38 wil1rock the lever 45 on its pivot 46 and raise the end 41 thereof upwardly. The end 41 of the rocker lever or bar 45, Fig. 1, carries a shoe 48- which underlies the toothed escapement bar 5, and its purpose is to shift or move the escapement bar on its pivot and move the teeth of the escapement bar out of meshing relationship with the pinion 6, whereby the carriage is free to be moved to the left (to the right, Fig. 1) by the resilient means to the end of its travel or until another pre-selected stop I0 is encountered.

The depression of the tabulator key 38 also brings into operation a stop member 49 which is adapted to be engaged by a stop l0 when the carriage is moving to the left (to the right, Fig.1). This stop member 49 is moved into the path of the stops H) on the carriage and remains in stopping position so long as the tabulator key 38 is held depressed. When the tabulator key is released the-shoe 48'wil1 return to inoperative position to permit engagement again of the teeth on the escapement bar 5 with the pinion 6, after which time the stop member 49 will be retracted and removed from position.

The stop member 49, Fig. 1, may comprise an integral part or arm of a bracket 50 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 5| having one end thereof mounted in the support 36 and its other end mounted in a support 52 preferably formed "integral with'the frame, Fig. 1. A spring53 surlected stop whereupon the resilient meansR moves the carriage to the left (to the right lookrounds the shaft 5| and tends to urge the bracket 50 towards the support 52. upper end pivotally connected at 55 to an arm of the bracket 59 and its lower end pivotally connected at 56 to an arm 51 which in turn is pivotally connected at 58 to an arm 59 of a bracket member 60, Figs. 3, 4 and 5. The end of the arm 51 extends a predetermined distance beyond the pivot 58, there being an ear 6| formed on the endof the arm 51 and overlying the arm 59 of the bracket member 6|], Fig. 4. A spring 62 is attached to the ear 6| and holds arm 51'resiliently and operatively, Fig. 3. This spring 62 also tends to return the stop member 49 to inoperative positionand assists in so maintaining it. A link 63 has its lower end pivoted at the aforesaid pivot point 58,, Figs. 3 and 4, and its upper end pivotally connected at 64 to the arm 41 of lever 45, Figs. 1, 2 and 5. A spring 63' is connected to the link 63, Figs. 3 and 4, and to a rigid part on the frame tohold the stop member 49 in its normal inoperative position. The stop member 49 is moved to operative position through the construction just described when the tabulator key 38 is depressed. Upon the depression of said key 38, downward movement of the link 42 The construction, ar-

A link 54 has its.

transmitted thereto by the key lever :39 raises the Iarm 4'! of the lever.45 and raises the link 63, causing .upward movement of the arm 59 of the bracketmember 6U. Inasmuchas the link 54 is will be swung on its pivot causing the stop member 49 to liein thepath of one of the several stops l which have previously been positioned.

The depression of the key 38 likewise causes the shoe 48 to .beraised thereby releasing the escapement mechanism and permitting the resilient means R-to, move the carriage to the left (to the .right, Fig.1) until it engages the first selected stop I0. Release of the key 38 again throws in the escapement mechanism whereby the carriage is stopped. The release of thekey 38,1ikewise causes the stop member 49 to be retracted .from the path of the stops, allowing the carriage again to be operated oneletter space at a time as usual.

When a stop I0 strikes the stop member 49 there may occur a rebound or back-lash, even though it be of a limited extent. To overcome any back-lash or rebound a finger 65 is provided .to engage the .opposite side of a stop It], Figs. 6 and 7. This finger 65 is pivotally mounted on the same shaft upon which the bracket member 59 carrying the stop member 49 is mounted, Fig. 7. This rebound finger has a slot 66 through which there extends a pin 61 attached to the stop member 49, thereby providing for limited pivotal movement sufficient to effect proper operation. A spring 68, Fig. 7, is secured to the finger 65 andto a part on the bracket 50 to hold the finger 65 toward the forward end of the slot. The finger 65 has a beveled surface 69 to allow a stop ID to kick thefinger 65 away from the stop .19 until the stop in reaches the stop member 49. As soon as the finger 65 has been pushed outwardly by the engagement therewith of a stop I 0, the spring 68 immediately pulls the finger 65 to normal position at practically the same instant the stop l 0 strikes the stop member 49.

The stop It will, therefore, be positioned between i.the two members 49 and 65. The carriage cannot advance because a stop I0 is engaged by the stop member 49 and it cannot reverse its oper- .ation, by rebound or otherwise, because of the position of the finger 65. The carriage therefore is caused to stop at the precise position desired.

A stop plate 19, Fig. 1, preferably having its face provided with resilient material, is secured to the bracket 50, and its purpose is to limit the movement of the stop member 49 and the finger 65 because of the engagement of the plate 10 .-with the lower part of the bar 8 in which the stops [0 are pre-selectedly positioned.

. Operation A key is depressed to position "a stop ID to a desired pre-selected position, the stop l0 being set at the position assumed or occupied by the carriage so that the'carriage will be stopped at that same precise position when the tabulator key is depressed. If more than one stop I0 is emoves a stop I!) downwardly into stop position :in a slot.9 in the bar 8. .As many stops l 0.-as

are necessary may b so set. Depression of the tabulator key 38 transmits motion through the key lever ,39, the lever 45,1ink 63, and link 54 to the bracket 59. upon which the stop member 49 is secured :to bring the stop member 49 into position properly to be engaged by a stop 10 on the moving carriage. Depression of the key 38 also operates the shoe 48 because of its attachment to the part4! of lever 45. The shoe 48 shifts the escapement bar 5 to release it from its pinion .6 whereupon theresilient means R pull the carriage until a stop l9 strikes the stop member 49. Just immediately prior to the time the stop member 49 is contacted by a stop 19 on the moving carriage, the rebound finger 65 is shifted out of the path because of the engagement of a stop H]- with the bevelled surface 69 on the finger B5.

Immediately after the stop I 9 passes the finger 65 and just about the time the stop l9 engages the stop member 49, the finger 65 .is moved back into normal position so as to lie on the rear side of the just passed stop 50. The stop I0 is therefore positionedbetween the stop member 49 and the rebound finger 65 whereby the carriage is maintained-stationary at the exact precise position, at which position it remains until the tabulator key is released when it will move forward, to the left (to the right, Fig. 1) a distance just sufiicient to clear the stop. member 49. The release of the tabulator key 39 causes the escapement bar ,5 tobe released by the shoe 48 and again become meshed with the'pinion 6. The release and return to normal position of the stop member 49, and the return of the escapement bar 5 into meshing relation with the pinion 6, provide the aforesaid forward movement of the carriage -a distance only sufficient to clear the said stop her is shifted from stopping position so that the typewriter may be operated without hindrance by the stop member 49.

The invention provides new and-novelmeans to set effectively any number of stops [9 as may berequired by the mere depression of a set key provided for that purpose. Moreover, the invention provides new and improved means for causing operation of the stop member to stop the carriage at a particular position when the tabulator key is depressed. Also, the operation of the escapement mechanism is synchronized and correlated with the tabulator mechanism to assure accurate and positive operation. The parts are few and simple and provide for accurate and efiicient operation.

Changes maybe made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right :is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A typewriter comprising a shiftable carriage, tabulator stops carried by said carriage, a counter-stop supporting member pivotally mounted on a part of the typewriter frame for forward and rearward movement towards and away from said carriage, a counter-stop rigid with said supporting member, means controlled by the depression of a key to swing said counter-stop supporting member on its "pivot to bring the counter-stop member into tabulator position to engage a stop, a rebound finger pivoted .on the typewriter frameadjacent the counterreleased the stop memmember stop member to prevent rebound of the carriage after a tabulator stop has engaged the counterstop member, and resilient means interposed be vtween said counter-stop supporting member and the typewriter frame for absorbing shock upon engagement of a tabulator stop with the counterstop member.

2. A typewriter comprising a shiftable carriage, tabulator stops carried by said carriage, a shaft vmounted on the typewriter frame and extending substantially parallel with the direction of shiftable carriage movement, a counter-stop member pivotally mounted on said shaft for forward and rearward movement towards and away from said counterstop member and the typewriter frame for absorbing shock upon engagement of the tabulator stop with the counter stop member,

and a resiliently urged rebound finger pivotally mounted on said shaft adjacent said counterstop member, the parts being so conformed and arranged to operate whereby said key control means may be operated to cause said counter stop member to engage a tabulator stop and thereby arrest operative movement of the carriage at the precise position of said tabulator stop and to cause said rebound finger to prevent rebound of the carriage after a tabulator stop has engaged the counter-stop member.

3. A typewriter comprising a shiftable carriage, tabulator stops-carried by said carriage, a shaft mounted on the typewriter frame and extending substantially parallel with the direction of shiftable carriage movement, a counterstop member pivotally mounted on said shaft for forward and rearward movement towards and away from said carriage, key controlled means for swinging said counter-stop member on its pivot to bring the counter-stop member into tabulator position to engage a stop, a rebound finger pivotally mounted on said shaft adjacent said counter-stop member to prevent rebound of the carriage after a tabulator stop has engaged the counter-stop member, and spring means for yieldably holding said rebound finger forwardly with respect to said counter-stop member.

4. A typewriter comprising a shiftable carriage, tabulator stops carried by said carriage, a shaft mounted on the typewriter frame and extending substantially parallel with the direction of shiftable carriage movement, a counter- 1 stop member pivotally mounted on said shaft for forward and rearward movement towards and g away from said carriage, key controlled means for swinging said counter-stop member on its pivot to bring the counter-stop member into tab-,

ulator position to engage a stop, a rebound finger pivotally mounted on said shaft adjacent said counter-stop member to prevent rebound of the carriage after a tabulator stop has engaged the counter-stop member, spring means for yieldably holding said rebound finger forwardly with respect to said counter-stop member, and pin and slotmeans cooperative between said'counter-stop member and said reboundj finger for limiting movement of the rebound finger.

5. A typewriter comprising a shiftable carriage, tabulator stops carried by said'carriage, a shaft mounted on the typewriter frame-and extending substantially parallel with the direcltion of shiftable carriage movement, a counterstop member pivotally mounted .on said shaft for forward. and rearward movement towards and away from said carriage, key controlled means tabulator position to engage a stop, a'rebound finger pivotally mounted on said shaft adjacent said counter-stop member to prevent rebound of A the carriage after a tabulator stop has engaged the counter-stop member, spring means for yieldably holding said rebound finger forwardly with respect to said counter-stop member, and a cam surface on the forwardly extending portion'of said rebound fingerfor moving the finger about its pivot upon initial engagement with a tabulator stop.

-6. A typewriter comprising. a shiftable carriage, tabulator stops carried by said carriage and movable from inoperative to operative position, a slotted bar for receiving said tabulator stops when moved into operative position, a shaft mounted on the typewriter frame and extending substantially parallel with the direction of shiftable carriage movement, a counter-stop member pivotally mounted on said shaft for forward and rearward movement towards and away from said carriage, key controlled means for swinging said counter-stop member on its pivot to bring the counter-stop member into tabulator position to engage astop, and means carried by said counter-stop member for engaging said slotted bar to limit movement of the counter-stop member towards said carriage.

-'I. A typewriter comprising a shiftable carriage, tabulator stops carried by said carriage and movable from inoperative to operative position, a-slotted bar for receiving said tabulator stops when moved into operative position, a shaft 7 mounted on the typewriter frame and extending substantially parallel with the direction of shiftable carriage movement, a counter-stop member pivotally mounted on said shaft for forward and rearward movement towards and away from said carriage, key controlled means for swinging said counter-stop member on its 'pivot to bring the counter-stop member into tabulator position to engage a stop, a rebound finger pivotally mounted on said shaft adjacent said counter-stop member to prevent rebound of the carriage after a tabulator stop has engaged the V counter-stop member, and means carried by said counter-stop member for engaging said slotted bar to limit movement of the counter-stop member and said rebound finger towards said carriage.

8. Tabulator mechanism for typewriters com- "prising an escapement rack; a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said rack for lifting the rack,

key operated meansfor operating said lever, an arm pivotally mounted on the typewriter frame, a second arm pivotally mounted on said first arm and having a portion overlying the first arm to effect upward movement of the second arm upon upward movement of the first arm, a counter-stop member movable between operative and inoperative positions with'respect to a carriage, linkage mechanism interconnecting said lever and said first, arm' for moving the arm upwardly upon operation of the lever, linkage mechanism interconnecting said second arm and said counter-stop member for operating the member, and return spring means connected to said overlying portion of the second arm.

9. Tabulator mechanism for typewriters comprising an escapement'rack, a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said rack for lifting the rack,

key operated means for operating said lever, an arm pivotally mounted on the typewriter frame, a second arm pivotally mounted on said first arm and having a portion overlying the first arm to effect upward movement of the second arm upon upward movement of the first arm, a counter-stop member movable between operative and inoperative positions with respect to a carriage, linkage mechanism interconnecting said lever and said first arm for moving the arm u pwardly upon operation of the lever, linkage mechanism interconnecting said second arm and said counter-stop member for operating the member, return spring means connected to said overlying portion of the second arm, and return spring means separately connected to said first named linkage mechanism.

10. In a, typewriter, tabulator stop mechanism comprising a bracket, an arm pivotally mounted on said bracket, a second arm pivotally mounted on said first arm and having a portion adapted to engage the first arm to effect movement of the second arm upon movement of the first arm in a predetermined direction, a counter-stop member, key operated means for moving said first named arm in said predetermined direction, linkage mechanism operatively connecting said second arm to said counter-stop member, return spring means operativelywconnected to said first arm, and separate return spring means operatively connected to said second arm.

11. A typewriter comprising a shiftable carriage, tabulator stops carried by said carriage, a shaft mounted on the typewriter frame and extending substantially parallel with the direction of shiftable carriage movement, a counterstop member loosely mounted on said shaft and pivoted thereon for movement towards and away from said carriage, key controlled means for swinging said counter-stop member on its pivot to bring the counter-stop member into tabulator position to engage a stop, resilient shock absorbing means normally urging said loosely mounted counter-stop member to a predetermined stop position along the length of said shaft, and a resiliently urged rebound finger pivotally mounted on said shaft adjacent said counter-stop member to prevent rebound of the carriage after a tabulator stop has engaged the counter-stop member.

12. A typewriter comprising a shiftable carriage, tabulator stops carried by said carriage, a shaft mounted on thetypewriter frame and extending substantially parallel with the direc- ,tion of shiftable carriage movement, a counterstop member loosely mounted on said shaft and pivoted thereon for movement towards and away from said carriage, key '1 controlled means for swinging said counter-stop member on itspivot to bring the counter-stop member into tabulator position to engage a stop, spring means interposed between said shaft and said counter-stop member for absorbing shock upon engagement of a tabulator stop with the counter-stop member, a rebound finger pivotally mounted on said shaft adjacent said counter-stop member to prevent rebound of the carriage after a tabulator stop has engaged the counter-stop member; and spring means for yieldably holding said rebound finger forwardly with respect to said counterstop member.

13. Tabulator mechanism for typewriters comprising an escapement rack, key operated means for lifting said rack, an arm pivotally mounted on the typewriter frame, a second arm pivotally mounted on said first arm and having a portion overlying the first arm to effect upward movement of the second arm upon upward'movement' of the first arm, a counter-stop member movable between operative and inoperative positions with respect to a carriage, linkage mechanism interconnecting said ra-ck lifting means and said first arm for moving the arm upwardly upon operation of the lifting means, linkage mechanism interconnecting said second arm and said counterstop member for operating the member, and return spring means connected to said overlying portion of the second arm.

14. Tabulator mechanism for typewriters comprising an escapement rack, key operated means for lifting said rack, an arm pivotally mounted on the typewriter frame, a second arm pivotally mounted on said first arm and having a, portion overlying the first arm to effect upward movement of the second arm upon upward movement of the first arm, a counter-stop member movable between operativeand inoperative positions with respect to a carriage, linkage mechanism interconnecting said rack lifting means and said first arm for moving the arm upwardly upon operation of the lifting means, linkage mechanism in- -terconnecting said second arm and said counterstop member for operating the member, return spring means connected to said overlying portion of the second arm, and return spring means separately connected to said first named linkage mechanism.

JAMES F. KOCA. 

